Crown and Bridge Work Assist Practice Questions
20 free Crown and Bridge Work Assist practice questions for the CDA. Tap an option to answer — you get instant feedback, the correct answer, and a detailed explanation for every question.
What is the first clinical step in fabricating a fixed crown according to standard crown and bridge procedure?
- A Taking the final impression
- B Cementing the permanent crown
- C Preparing (shaping) the tooth
- D Polishing the crown
Correct answer: Preparing (shaping) the tooth
The initial clinical step is tooth preparation, which involves removing decay or old restoration and reducing tooth structure so that the crown will fit properly. This sets the foundation for accurate impression and proper crown fit.
Why is a temporary (provisional) crown or bridge placed after tooth preparation and before permanent restoration delivery?
- A To permanently test the final occlusal scheme
- B To protect the prepared tooth and reduce sensitivity
- C To permanently restore full chewing function
- D To do away with the need for taking a final impression
Correct answer: To protect the prepared tooth and reduce sensitivity
Provisional restorations protect the prepared tooth, maintain occlusal and interproximal relationships, and prevent dentinal sensitivity until the definitive crown or bridge is ready.
Which material is commonly used to fabricate a temporary crown chair-side?
- A Porcelain fused to metal alloy
- B Heat-cured zirconia
- C Acrylic resin or bis-acrylic provisional resin
- D Gold alloy
Correct answer: Acrylic resin or bis-acrylic provisional resin
Temporary crowns are typically made from acrylic resin or bis-acrylic resin, materials suitable for quick fabrication and easy removal when the permanent restoration is ready.
What is the role of gingival retraction during crown or bridge impression making?
- A To permanently whiten the surrounding gingiva
- B To expose sub-gingival margins for accuracy
- C To make the impression material harden more quickly
- D To bond the crown margin directly onto the gingiva
Correct answer: To expose sub-gingival margins for accuracy
Gingival retraction displaces soft tissue so that sub-gingival margins are exposed, enabling impression material to accurately capture the finish line, which is critical for proper marginal fit of the restoration.
Which statement correctly describes a procedure when using digital (CAD/CAM) workflow for crown fabrication?
- A A physical impression is always required with CAD/CAM
- B Digital impressions enable same-day crown fabrication
- C Digital impressions are less accurate than alginate ones
- D CAD/CAM crowns require a two-week lab turnaround time
Correct answer: Digital impressions enable same-day crown fabrication
Digital impressions via intraoral scanner can replace conventional impression material and, with in-office milling, allow fabrication and placement of a definitive crown in a single visit.
What is the primary purpose of a permanent crown or bridge restoration compared to a temporary one?
- A Provides only a short-term aesthetic display
- B Long-term restoration of form and function
- C Used mainly to test the patient's compliance
- D Allows the clinician to skip final cementation
Correct answer: Long-term restoration of form and function
Definitive restorations restore strength, function, aesthetics, and protect tooth structure over the long term, unlike temporaries which are only interim solutions.
Which type of restoration would most likely require a pontic and abutment crowns as part of the work?
- A Single-unit crown on a molar
- B Direct composite filling
- C Fixed dental bridge replacing a missing tooth
- D Temporary acrylic crown
Correct answer: Fixed dental bridge replacing a missing tooth
A fixed bridge replaces missing teeth by using abutment teeth covered with crowns, and a pontic (false tooth) spanning the gap — that defines a traditional bridge.
Which is NOT a benefit of placing a crown over a heavily damaged or structurally compromised tooth?
- A Restores chewing function and strength
- B Protects remaining tooth structure from further fracture
- C Eliminates need for good oral hygiene
- D Improves aesthetics
Correct answer: Eliminates need for good oral hygiene
Crowns restore strength, function, and appearance, but they do not remove the need for oral hygiene — maintenance is still essential for longevity and preventing decay around margins.
If a prepared tooth for a crown is significantly weakened and lacks sufficient structure for retention, what auxiliary procedure might be required before crown placement?
- A Apply composite resin only
- B Prepare adjacent teeth instead
- C Perform a post-and-core build-up after endodontic treatment
- D Use a temporary acrylic crown indefinitely
Correct answer: Perform a post-and-core build-up after endodontic treatment
When a tooth lacks adequate structure, a post-and-core build-up provides a stable core to support the crown — especially after root canal treatment.
Which factor is critical to ensure marginal integrity and longevity of a crown or bridge restoration?
- A Using the brightest possible shade
- B Accurate impression capturing finish line and proper tooth reduction for cement space
- C Leaving as much old restoration as possible
- D Skipping temporary restoration
Correct answer: Accurate impression capturing finish line and proper tooth reduction for cement space
Accurate impression capturing the finish line plus proper tooth preparation to allow correct cement thickness are vital to ensure marginal seal, fit, and long-term success of crown/bridge.
During final crown or bridge cementation, what must be done before permanently seating the restoration?
- A Place temporary cement first
- B Skip try-in and cement directly
- C Remove provisional restorations, clean tooth and restoration, verify fit and occlusion
- D Polish the temporary crown
Correct answer: Remove provisional restorations, clean tooth and restoration, verify fit and occlusion
Before permanent cementation, the provisional is removed, tooth and restoration surfaces are cleaned, and the fit and occlusion are verified to ensure correct placement and avoid future issues.
Which material characteristic might guide choice of crown material for a front tooth (esthetic zone)?
- A Maximum metal content regardless of appearance
- B High translucency and colour matching to natural enamel
- C Low cost over aesthetics
- D Resistance to staining only
Correct answer: High translucency and colour matching to natural enamel
For anterior teeth, materials like porcelain or ceramic are chosen for their high translucency and ability to mimic natural enamel—the key for good esthetics in visible areas.
Which scenario would most likely require a bridge rather than a single-unit crown?
- A Single molar with a cracked cusp
- B Two adjacent teeth both needing crowns
- C One missing tooth between two healthy abutment teeth
- D Fractured incisal edge of one front tooth
Correct answer: One missing tooth between two healthy abutment teeth
When a tooth is missing and there are healthy adjacent teeth, a fixed bridge uses the abutments and a pontic to restore the missing tooth — appropriate for replacing a missing tooth.
What is the recommended care after placement of a new crown or bridge to ensure longevity?
- A Avoid flossing around it to prevent loosening the crown
- B Brush and floss daily, avoid hard food, get check-ups
- C Chew only on the opposite side of the mouth permanently
- D No special care is needed as the restoration is durable
Correct answer: Brush and floss daily, avoid hard food, get check-ups
Maintaining oral hygiene (brushing, flossing or interdental cleaning under bridge), avoiding extremely hard foods, and regular dental visits help preserve the restoration and prevent decay or marginal failure.
Which of the following is a potential disadvantage of fixed crown/bridge restorations?
- A Requires no removal of any tooth structure at all
- B May remove much tooth structure, risking the pulp
- C Is always very easy to clean underneath the bridge
- D Essentially never fails or degrades over time
Correct answer: May remove much tooth structure, risking the pulp
To fit a crown or bridge, significant tooth reduction is often required, which can risk pulp and weaken the tooth if not done carefully.
When delivering a bridge spanning multiple missing teeth, which step is crucial for ensuring proper fit and occlusion before final cementation?
- A Use of temporary acrylic only
- B Skipping try-in to save time
- C Performing a try-in to check marginal fit, contact points, and occlusion
- D Using maximum cement amount always
Correct answer: Performing a try-in to check marginal fit, contact points, and occlusion
A try-in allows verification of marginal fit, contacts, and occlusion; any discrepancies can be corrected before final cementation, ensuring function and long-term success.
What is the minimum recommended thickness of tooth reduction for a full crown to allow sufficient restorative material bulk and strength?
- A 0.5 mm
- B 1.5–2.0 mm
- C 3.5 mm
- D No reduction needed
Correct answer: 1.5–2.0 mm
Adequate reduction (approx. 1.5–2.0 mm, depending on material) ensures there will be enough bulk in the crown for strength and proper fit, without excessive removal of tooth structure.
If a patient requires replacement of a missing tooth and the adjacent teeth are healthy but unprepared, which restoration option is considered most conservative?
- A Traditional bridge (requires preparation of abutments)
- B Fixed crown on adjacent teeth
- C Implant-supported crown (not a bridge)
- D Immediate extraction
Correct answer: Implant-supported crown (not a bridge)
An implant-supported crown replaces a missing tooth without altering adjacent healthy teeth, making it more conservative than a traditional bridge which requires preparation of abutment teeth.
Which step is the responsibility of a dental assistant during crown and bridge procedures?
- A Designing the final crown shape in the laboratory
- B Mixing materials, preparing trays, passing instruments
- C Deciding the final occlusal adjustments for the seated crown
- D Carrying out final polishing of the ceramic crowns
Correct answer: Mixing materials, preparing trays, passing instruments
Dental assistants handle tray preparation, mixing and dispensing materials, instrument passing, and assisting the dentist during provisional and final cementation — supporting efficiency and patient comfort.
Which crown material is generally considered most aesthetic for anterior teeth but may be more brittle under heavy occlusal load?
- A A full-metal alloy crown with no ceramic
- B Porcelain or all-ceramic crown
- C A quick chair-side acrylic temporary crown
- D A cast gold alloy crown for posterior use
Correct answer: Porcelain or all-ceramic crown
Porcelain or all-ceramic crowns offer superior aesthetics and mimic natural enamel well, making them ideal for anterior teeth, but they can be more brittle compared to metal-based crowns — especially under heavy biting forces.